Here are some of the Christmas treats around the world

People often talk about delicious cakes and wines as the quintessential dishes during the Christmas season. However, there are countless traditional dishes that find places on the dining tables for Christmas, around the world. In many countries, Christmas is also about cooking and sharing unique dishes.

The lively barbecue parties are what make the Christmas nights in Australia exciting and delicious. The smoke that rises from the barbecue grills from the backyards of houses is a common sight here. The delicious barbecue dishes are unavoidable parts of the Australian Christmas feasts.

Kishiyos is special delicacy served for the Christmas dinner in Lithuania. The Lithuanians do not eat meat and milk during the Christmas time. Fresh fish and vegetables are the ‘hero’ ingredients in kishiyos. The preparation for this dish that is served for the dinner on the Christmas Eve begins at least a week ago.

There is an interesting Christmas game that is associated with the special rice pudding in Denmark. The delicious pudding made using milk, rice, almonds and vanilla is served for the lunch. There would be only one whole almond in the pudding. The person who gets that whole almond would get the Christmas gift in the family.

Interestingly, the real Christmas celebration in Mexico takes place 12 days later, on 6th January. The Mexicans bake special cakes to mark the holy 12th day. A small figurine of the infant Jesus would be hidden inside the cake. The person who gets the piece that has the figurine would be declared the ‘guardian’ of baby Jesus that year.

In Canada, baking Christmas cookies is an elaborate and happy celebration. The family and friends would gather to make delicious cookies. These cookies would then be gifted to the guests. So, everyone would be returning with a basket full of delicious cookies in myriad flavours.

The traditional nougat prepared using honey, sugar, almond and egg whites is a Christmas delicacy in Spain.

The delicious porridge is what makes the Christmas in Russia extra special and flavourful. Fresh honey, fruits and dried fruits are added with rice or wheat to prepare this special porridge. This dish also represents the unity and camaraderie among the Russian people. The porridge would be served when they spot the first Christmas star in the night sky. First, a spoon full of porridge would be thrown upwards. The Russians believe that if the porridge sticks on the ceiling, it would bring luck and amazing agricultural produce that year.

Panettone is an Italian sweet bread loaf that is enjoyed during the Christmas. Eggs, fruits and butter are used to make this bread. The traditional panettone is 12-15 centimetres tall and weighs at least a kilogram. This dish is regularly enjoyed by the families during the Christmas festivities.